Attacks on NHS staff increased last year as one in seven workers experienced physical violence from patients, their relatives or the public. Some 14.38% were subjected to violence, up from 13.88% in 2023 but below the record levels seen after the pandemic from 2020 to 2022. One in 12 NHS staff had experienced unwanted sexual behaviour, including offensive comments, touching and assault, a similar proportion to the previous year.
Dr Navina Evans, chief workforce, training and education officer for NHS England, said: “It’s totally unacceptable that NHS staff are facing physical violence, sexual assault and discrimination from patients and the public while at work – and I’d urge anyone affected to report incidents to their employer and the police. We know that the most important way to stamp out incidents of unacceptable behaviour is to give people the confidence to report it, and it is important that the voice of every member of NHS staff is heard through these surveys and acted upon.”
More than 740,000 people took part in the 2024 NHS staff survey, the highest level of participation in 20 years.
It also found that 9.25% of staff had experienced discrimination at work, with more than half saying discrimination experienced from patients and the public was based on their ethnic background.
Meanwhile, data published on Thursday showed the waiting list for procedures and appointments fell from 7.46 million in December to 7.43m in January.
NHS England said the number of patients waiting over a year had fallen to 198,868 — the lowest since November 2020.
And patients waited an average of 17 days for tests and checks in January, which was 43 days less than at the height of the pandemic.
However, only 73.4% of patients with suspected cancer had the disease confirmed or ruled out within 28 days, down from 78.1% the previous month and below the 75% target.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “Despite huge pressure this winter from high bed occupancy and winter viruses, NHS teams delivered huge increases in treatments, tests and cancer checks.
“We know there is much further to go to reduce waits and delays across all NHS services, but today’s figures are encouraging and we continue to ask anyone noticing worrying symptoms or in need of care to come forward.”
